Crocodile Stitch Leafy Capelet – Part Two

April 18, 2018

We’ve been having quite bit of fun our Bonita Patterns CALs Facebook Group seeing the beautiful Crocodile Stitch Leaf Capelets made by our members. The first project picture that made us almost “faint” in awe was made by Pui Korakot. She used Bonita Yarns Dream Baby in Tangerine (what an inspiration! I never would have thought the capelet would look so good in this color! You have no idea how your project pictures have inspired for new designs throughout the years… especially when you try different colors than I originally did on the pattern).

The Crocodile Stitch Leafy Capelet showcases a variation of the the Crocodile Stitch that creates a leaf-like shape. It is a quick project, yet, unique. perfect for Spring, gifts and for those that sell finished items. I used my ultra-soft Dream Baby yarn, which is 15% off for CAL participants (use coupon code CROCHETMONTH at check out for 15% off entire site). You can choose from over 20 colors and make this project for only $9.35 (plus S & H)!

Yardage: approximately 400 yds Yardage: approximately 400 yds
1 large toggle button size 2” (optional) long or a large button of your choice. You may use a shawl pin or brooch as a closure for the capelet. 1 large toggle button size 2” (optional) long or a large button of your choice. You may use a shawl pin or brooch as a closure for the capelet.

Gauge:
With G crochet hook in FPdc ribbed pattern (dc each ch in first row and FPdc each st of all following rows): 9 sts and 7 rows = 2″. With G crochet hook in FPdc ribbed pattern (dc each ch in first row and FPdc each st of all following rows): 9 sts and 7 rows = 2″.

Special Stitches Used:

Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc) – Yo and insert hook from the front to the back around the post of the dc of previous row. Complete as for a regular dc stitch. Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc) – Yo and insert hook from the front to the back around the post of the dc of previous row. Complete as for a regular dc stitch.Long V-Stitch (LV-st) – Work (tr 1, ch 1, tr 1) in st indicated. Long V-Stitch (LV-st) – Work (tr 1, ch 1, tr 1) in st indicated.Picot (P) – ch 3, sl st into 3rd ch from hook. Picot made. Picot (P) – ch 3, sl st into 3rd ch from hook. Picot made.Treble Crochet 2 Together or Treble Decrease (Tr2tog): Work a Tr in stitch indicated until two loops are left on hook (this is as an incomplete tr). Keeping these two loops on hook, work another tr in stitch indicated until you have three loops remaining on hook. Yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook. One tr st decreased.

Treble Crochet 2 Together or Treble Decrease (Tr2tog): Work a Tr in stitch indicated until two loops are left on hook (this is as an incomplete tr). Keeping these two loops on hook, work another tr in stitch indicated until you have three loops remaining on hook. Yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook. One tr st decreased.

Pattern Notes:

1. The capelet construction is quite simple. This project is worked in two parts: a base scarf to serve as the capelet foundation, and five leafy appliqués. The scarf is crocheted in a ribbed FPdc pattern with a DC edging. The focal point of the design is made of a new version of the Crocodile Stitch that now resembles a leaf more than a scale. 1. The capelet construction is quite simple. This project is worked in two parts: a base scarf to serve as the capelet foundation, and five leafy appliqués. The scarf is crocheted in a ribbed FPdc pattern with a DC edging. The focal point of the design is made of a new version of the Crocodile Stitch that now resembles a leaf more than a scale.

2. In short, the “Crocodile Stitch” is formed by a two-row repeat: a row of V-sts followed by a row of scales (or shells). This is a fairly easy pattern to execute and fast to memorize. The only novelty about this design is that the scales are crocheted around the V-sts with clusters of front post double crochets (fpdc) and front post treble crochets (fptr) from top to bottom, then from bottom to top, as opposed to working them on top of the row, like in most shell patterns. 2. In short, the “Crocodile Stitch” is formed by a two-row repeat: a row of V-sts followed by a row of scales (or shells). This is a fairly easy pattern to execute and fast to memorize. The only novelty about this design is that the scales are crocheted around the V-sts with clusters of front post double crochets (fpdc) and front post treble crochets (fptr) from top to bottom, then from bottom to top, as opposed to working them on top of the row, like in most shell patterns.

3. For those familiar with the Crocodile Stitch I used in other patterns, you will notice that instead of making the scales with a row of V-sts (dc 1, ch 1, dc 1) as the foundation for the scales and FPdcs to make the scales, this time you will crochet a longer version of the V-st, the Long V-st ( tr 1, ch 1, tr 1; see Special Stiches on page 2) and the following scale row will be crocheted with FPdcs, FPtrs and a Picot. If you have worked the Crocodile Stitch before, this version will not be hard. 3. For those familiar with the Crocodile Stitch I used in other patterns, you will notice that instead of making the scales with a row of V-sts (dc 1, ch 1, dc 1) as the foundation for the scales and FPdcs to make the scales, this time you will crochet a longer version of the V-st, the Long V-st ( tr 1, ch 1, tr 1; see Special Stiches on page 2) and the following scale row will be crocheted with FPdcs, FPtrs and a Picot. If you have worked the Crocodile Stitch before, this version will not be hard.

The Crocodile Stitch Leafy Fingerless Gloves makes the perfect match for this cowl. If you would like to make a the gloves, from March 14 through April 17, the gloves pattern is being offered at a 50% discount for only $2.75 from December 12, 2017 through February 28, 2018. No coupon needed, please find the pattern HERE. The Crocodile Stitch Leafy Fingerless Gloves makes the perfect match for this cowl. If you would like to make a the gloves, from March 14 through April 17, the gloves pattern is being offered at a 50% discount for only $2.75 from December 12, 2017 through February 28, 2018. No coupon needed, please find the pattern HERE.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (count as a dc), working from top to bottom around post of first tr of first LV-st, work 3 FPdc, 4 FPtr, (see pic A), Picot (ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook; see pic B), turn work so LV-st is sideways and post of second tr of LV-st is upside down (V point of LV-st will be facing right; see pic C), working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPtr, 4 FPdc (see pic D); turn – (1 leafy-scale).

Row 3 (WS): Ch 5 (count as a tr and a ch-1), tr in same st as beg ch, LV-st in next ch-1 sp, LV-st in last st; turn (see pic E) – (3 LV-sts).

Row 4 (RS): Ch 3 (count as a dc), working from top to bottom around post of first tr of first LV-st, work 3 FPdc, 4 FPtr (see pic A), Picot (ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook), turn work so LV-st is sideways and post of second tr of LV-st is upside down (V point of LV-st will be facing right), working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPtr, 4 FPdc, skip next LV-st, working from top to bottom around post of first tr of next LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr; turn – (2 leafy-scale)

Row 5 (WS): Ch 5 (count as a tr and a ch-1), tr in same st as beg ch, LV-st in next ch-1 sp, yo twice, insert hook in both next ch-1 space and in space between scales directly behind ch-1 sp (see pic F) and complete a LV-st, work a LV-st in next ch-1 sp, LV-st in in top of last st (see pic G); turn – (5 LV-sts).

Row 6 (RS): Ch 3 (count as a dc), working from top to bottom around post of first tr of first LV-st, work 3 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways and post of second tr of LV-st is upside down (V point of LV-st will be facing right), working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPtr, 4 FPdc (skip next LV-st, working from top to bottom around post of first tr of next LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr) twice; turn – (3 leafy-scale)

Row 7 (WS): Ch 4 (count as a tr), LV-st in next ch-1 sp, * yo twice, insert hook in both next ch-1 space and in space between scales directly behind ch-1 sp and complete a LV-st, work a LV-st in next ch-1 sp, rep from * across to last st, tr in in top of last st; turn – (5 LV-sts + 2 tr).

Row 8 (RS): Sl st in first 2 sts, sl st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, working from top to bottom around post of next tr of next LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways and post of second tr of LV-st is upside down (V point of LV-st will be facing right), working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPtr, 4 FPdc, skip next LV-st, working from top to bottom around post of first tr of next LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr; sl st in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next 2 sts – (2 leafy-scale)

Row 9 (WS): Ch 4 (count as a tr), LV-st in next 2 ch-1 sp, yo twice, insert hook in both next ch-1 space and in space between scales directly behind ch-1 sp and complete a LV-st, work a LV-st in next 2 ch-1 sp, tr in top of last st; turn – (5 LV-sts + 2 tr).

Row 10 (RS): Rep Row 6 – (3 leafy-scale)

Row 11 (WS) decrease: Ch 4, tr in next ch-1 (first ch-4 and tr count as a dec), yo twice, insert hook in both next ch-1 space and in space between scales directly behind ch-1 sp and complete a LV-st, work a LV-st in next ch-1 sp, yo twice, insert hook in both next ch-1 space and in space between scales directly behind ch-1 sp and complete a LV-st, Tr2tog (see page 2 under Special Stitches and pic H for visual aid) over next ch-1 sp and last st; turn – (3 LV-sts + 2 tr2tog).

Row 12 (RS): Ch 1, working from top to bottom around post of first tr of first LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways and post of second tr of LV-st is upside down (V point of LV-st will be facing right) working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPtr, 4 FPdc skip next LV-st, working from top to bottom around post of first tr of next LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LVst, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr; sl in last st; turn – (2 leafy-scale)

Note:The 2 double crochets (dc) at the beginning and ending of Row 2 through 87 of the scarf, works as an edge to give a more polished look to the borders. This edging also helps preventing that one skips the last FPdc, which sometimes is hard to see, and would accidentally decrease the scarf. Row 13 (WS) decrease: Ch 4, tr in next ch-1 (first ch-4 and tr count as a dec), yo twice, insert hook in both next ch-1 space and in space between scales directly behind ch-1 sp and complete a LV-st, Tr2tog over next ch-1 sp and last st; turn – (1 LV-st + 2 tr2tog).

Row 14 (RS): Ch 1, working from top to bottom around post of next tr of first LV-st, work 4 FPdc, 4 FPtr, Picot, turn work so LV-st is sideways and post of second tr of LV-st is upside down (V point of LV-st will be facing right) working from bottom to top around post of second tr of LV-st, work 4 FPtr, 4 FPdc; sl in last st; Fasten off – (1 leafy-scale)

Finishing:

Attaching Appliques: Mark center of scarf on row 44. Sew on center applique evenly on middle edge of scarf. Sew on remaining appliques on edge and also sew on their sides to each other, so all five appliques are secure to each other, becoming a whole section. See schematics below for visual aid.Button Loop: With right side of scarf facing you, count 8 rows from left to right, join yarn to 8th FPdc of row. Ch 6, skip 6 FPdc, sl st in next FPdc; turn, sc 8 in ch-6 sp, fasten off.Button Placement: With right side of scarf facing you, count 8 rows from right to left. Sew on button on 8th FPdc of Row 8. Note: You might choose to not include a button and close your scarf with a shawl pin or brooch.Blocking: It is suggested that once your piece is finished, block it to settle the leafy-scales and to give a professional, polished look to your project. For tips about blocking, check HERE